My first fruit salad...

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This year brings a lot of first for me... with the passing away of my wife and being left on my own, I have to do things by myself. With my wife's birthday yesterday, I just don't want to it pass without us preparing anything to celebrate the day.

Yet no matter how much I write to her, I know I would still be alone to prepare for it. And so I decided to make fruit salad and cook spaghetti on her birthday. The spaghetti wasn't much a big deal for me, as I have already prepared it before. The only difference is that this time, nobody was coaching me this time as I was cooking.

But for the fruit salad, it's definitely a first for me. I tried to look at cook books and searched on the internet, but what I see only confuses me. Relying on my gut feel and remembering how my wife prepared it then, I bought the needed ingredients and just began making the fruit salad.

All through the process, I was asking the children what they remembered their mother was doing. "Does Mama add the juice of the fruit cocktail in the salad?" I asked my son Edgar, and he answered that she didn't add the juice or syrup. "How much condensed milk does she put?" I followed, and this time none of the kids remembered.

Still, I went on with the procedure, and everything was a guessing game for me. Fortunately, it didn't turn out bad. Big deal! I know - fruit cocktail, all-purpose cream, condensed milk, apples... what could go wrong?!

Like I said, it's a first for me.

Just one more of the firsts that I will be facing all alone from now on...

Prayer Brigade for the future Philippine President

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I have received quite a lot of tags, and I haven't done any them yet (my apologies to those who tagged me, I promise I will get to them in time). But this recent tag, I believe deserve immediate attention as it concerns our future as Filipinos.

Fatherlyours joined a prayer brigade and tagged me to join. There's nothing wrong in a prayer or in praying. It's a simple request to join the prayer brigade for the future Philippine President, no matter what religion one may belong, I know we all pray to one God.

My prayer:

I praise and thank You for the talent You have given me to write and express my thoughts. I am hoping that I am serving You with my writings and my works could bring greater glory to Your name.

At this point My Lord, our country needs Your guidance and untiring protection from all those who seek to serve only their self-interest, even if it would cause the demise of the greater majority.

Send us Lord, Your anointed one and bring us a leader that will serve in Your Name, and bring our country closer to You and Your plans for us.

Save us from wolves in sheep's clothing who even speaks in Your Name and yet their heart contains nothing but self-serving motives.

All this I ask in the Mighty Name of Jesus, Your Son and our Lord.

Amen.

My Oath:

I, Roy dela Cruz support the cause of the Blog Prayer Brigade for the election of the Future President of the Republic of the Philippines and I do solemnly promise to recite the prayer, which I wrote, in my own convenient time and regularly as possible until the 2010 Presidential Election commences. Let it be written, let it be done.

I would like to invite the following people as I tag them to join.

Iva
Amor
Sweetiepie
Monette
Ada

Here's what to do:

1. Write a short, sincere and meaningful prayer, (in your own words and according to the customs of your religious affiliation) about asking God in guiding our country and fellowmen in choosing the right candidate to vote for in the coming 2010 Philippine Presidential Elections. It can be in your own vernacular, and can be short and long as you please. Remember, the goal of the prayer is not only for Peaceful Election but most of all “for the guidance of choosing the right Presidential candidate to vote in the election”

2, Publish the prayer for everyone to Read in your blog.

3. Go to the Blog Prayer Brigade Main Page which is located here, and get one of the badges or banners for the brigade. Place the badge or banner in your Sidebar until the 2010 Presidential Elections commence.

4. Make an oath by filling the blank below with your handle/or name

I, _____________________(name) support the cause of the Blog Prayer Brigade for the election of the Future President of the Republic of the Philippines and I do solemnly promise to recite the prayer, which I wrote, in my own convenient time and regularly as possible until the 2010 Presidential Election commences. Let it be written, let it be done.

5. Tag at least 7 Pinoy bloggers you know who haven’t done this before so that the prayer will spread wherever there is a pinoy blogger present.

6. Keep you promise of praying for the Presidential Election so that God may guide us in choosing the right leader for our country.

7. in January 2010, we will gather all the names and prayers of each participants and publish all their prayers in one Blog. We will also feature in the blog the most beautiful prayer ever composed in this project.

Right now, our country really needs prayers to be saved. Let us spread the word.

Thank you.

Our firsts without her...

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We have spent our first Mother's Day without her... now here come some more firsts... because life is supposed to go on.

When you're not on someone else's shoes, things are easier to say. "She is at rest now..." "be strong, you can do it..." "have faith..." and so on...

I know all that. But once in melancholic trance, all senses, logic, faith and strength seem to fly out the window. Nothing but anxiety and loneliness remain.

Can life really go on? I'm talking about a life with sense, direction... purpose. I really don't think anybody would understand what I'm saying here... they just think they do.

In a few days time it will be her birthday, November 29 to be exact. Then comes December 8, our wedding anniversary... it is supposed to be our 17th year. Of course, needless to say, Christmas day comes next.

I don't think I'm making any sense here. I don't even know what I'm trying to drive at.

I'm lost... I'm moving and going somewhere... but I don't know where...

I'm doing something, but I don't know what... and why...

and just because life has to go on...

Clearer reflections, with great eyeglasses

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Yes, you'll definitely see clearer reflections with better eyeglasses with Zenni Optical. The popular online eyeglasses shop has something better for you this holidays.

Aside from the $ 8 Complete Rx Eyeglasses that you have seen before, they got special frames for you. The Holiday Glass Frames From Zenni Optical, hip and stylish frames so you can see better and look better this holiday.

That would definitely make clearer reflections for you.

Still keen on writing....

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Just like what I wrote in my previous post in The Struggling Blogger, I am planning to start another blog. Although this time, I want to have my own domain... a self-hosted blog.

What would push me to start another blog when I can't almost update all of my existing blogs? And also I can't even meet my quota of daily articles that I need to submit in my work?

What would the new blog be about this time? Just like what I wrote in my other blog, I want to try writing short stories... of different genre (is that the right term for it?) I would like to test myself.

Honestly, I am not really sure if I can do it. I have tried writing stories before but I never got to finish any. The closest that I got was writing some skit or dialogues during presentations in the community.

But then who knows, maybe I can pull it this time... I may be able to write short stories... and maybe soon, I can write my own novel... and maybe publish my book.

Yes, I know... wishful thinking...

Lawyers to assist you on accident claims

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"Safety is no accident" so the quote go. But sometimes, no matter how safe and careful we seems to be, accidents still happen, and most of the time it is not our fault. Yet, we are affected by it. But what if this accident did more than just give us minor scratches? Can we file for personal injury claims?

The fact is, we can. Although not everybody knows it. That is why First Personal Injury was established by a group of UK based lawyers to help especially those who are not aware of their rights, even if they were hurt, injured or maimed in an accident.

First Personal Injury knows your right and they are an expert when it comes to accident claims. They have in their roster professional injury lawyers to make sure that your accident claim will have a winning chance.

Let's say you were riding your bike when you had an accident, and most probably, it would involve another vehicle, like a car, a van or a bus. Do you know that you can file for Bicycle accident claims? Because as a biker, you also have a right on road as the other vehicles, which unfortunately isn't recognized AND respected by most motorists.But with First Personal Injury, you can fight for that right and file your bicycle accident claims.

Now, if you are driving a car and you were involved in an accident, no matter how much defensive driving you make, you have no control of the minds of other drivers or how they handle their vehicles. Sometimes the impact of the accident is so great that it can give a whiplash.

Whiplash is a serious thing, it can totally disrupt your life. That is why it is necessary for you to file whiplash injury claims, to make up for the damages you get and the lost income because of not being able to work for sometime because of the accident.

Now that you have an idea of what First Personal Injury can do for you, don't delay and contact them now.

Computer Games

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Great computer games available at Midori. They have exciting and safe for kids computer games. Your kids will have lots of fun playing the games like Mister Monster, Yoo Glow, and Yoodoo which by the way has a demo version which you can download, so you can try it before buying the game.

Games for Mac are also available like mac solitaire, Parking dash and Magic Match. All these games also have downloadable trial versions so you can have a feel of the game before buying them. By the way, solitaire is available with 50% off of the original price if you buy before November 16, 2008.

And for those on the go, try the iphone games, to keep you from getting bored on those long trips. Computer games galore! Available for you with just a click of the mouse.

Polluting my blog?

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I am very much privileged that I am getting some writing opportunities from paid blogging sites. I needed the money, that's a fact. I am most thankful for the opportunities.

But at the back of my mind, I feel sad... I have deviated from the purpose of my blog. I wouldn't mind with the other blogs, unfortunately this blog is the one that's been getting most opportunities lately.

Of course I can opt not to accept them, but I'm not an hypocrite. Like I said I need the money. But right now I feel like I'm polluting my blog.

But why am I complaining?

I am not really, I just want to write how I feel.

After all this is what Reflections is all about.

Exciting gadgets for Christmas

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This coming Christmas season, one gift suggestion that I can think of are gadgets. And any recipients of a gadget for a gift would definitely be delighted. These days, everybody wants to be updated with the latest gadget. If you would listen to my advice and think of scouting for a gift, why not do your shopping online? And one of the best sites for online shopping is ShopWiki.

And while we’re on the subject of gadgets, your boys – big or small, would definitely love to receive a Halo 3 Wireless Headset for Christmas. With these wireless headsets, they can be a Master Chief. Any Halo fanatic will definitely enjoy playing with the ergonomically designed wireless headsets.

This Xbox 360 Limited Edition Halo 3 Wireless Headset will be available only for a limited time. A perfect pair for a Limited Edition Wireless Controller. Your boys will surely appreciate for these gifts as they spend hours of fun playing with their new toy.

And for more gaming options, you can also check out their Nintendo Wii and Playstation 3 pages. Get more choices with ShopWiki.com

My childish Christmas wish

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A 40 year old wishing for a toy train this Christmas? Why not? Perhaps, it is still the child in me… or maybe it was because of an unfulfilled Christmas wish ever since I was a child. I really don’t know what it is with toy trains that fascinate me as a child that I never seem to have outgrown it.

As a kid, I always dream of having one. The longer the tracks, the better. And I always imagine my train to go on with real smoke and a realistic ‘choo-choo’ sound. And like I said, it was a dream that never gets fulfilled.

And that childish wish somehow survived through all these years. Definitely, it will still be an unfulfilled one, definitely not in the near future. But that doesn’t mean I can’t dream of it, right.

My wife was very much aware of this wish, and was in fact having almost gone to buy me one. But I talked her out of it… not that I don’t want it, but it would only make me feel guilty as there are more expenses that need to be prioritized.

Now, getting that childish Christmas wish fulfilled is out of the question. Yet again, there are more important matters that need to be attended to.

Yes, this is my childish Christmas wish… go ahead laugh.

Stylish prescription eyeglasses from Zenni Optical

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The eyes are our window to the world. That is why we need to take care of them. Unfortunately, it is inevitable that our eyesight suffer due to various factors. It could be age, fatigue, stress and more. And in cases like these, prescription eyeglasses are a must.

Incredible Stylish New Frames From Zenni can provide you with clearer eyesight without making you look like a nerd. With the wide selection of cool eyeglasses that they have, you will surely find one that would fit your personality.

And did you know that Zenni Optical was on FOX news! Aside from their long years of track record in selling prescription eyeglasses on line, their credibility was able to send them to a top rating TV Show.


You need not worry about the price either, as they manufacture their own eyeglasses, you can be assured of low prices. An example is the Zenni Optical $ 8 Eyeglasses. They are able to give this much low price because there is no middleman or salesman commission to add up to the price.

So get your prescription eyeglasses direct from Zenni Optical and have better eyesight without burning a hole in your pocket.

Running shoes for perfect health

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Now that I don’t need to report on a regular 9 to 5 jobs, I would have more time for myself. I guess I will start with my stamina as I would definitely need it as I face my future in blogging. I am planning of waking up early to be able to make running a daily routine.

But running may not be as simple as I thought it was. Though I may not be able to find a running buddy at the start, I can definitely find some running tips on the internet. I am sure that one of these tips is being able to get the proper running shoes.

And of course, being the blogger that I am, I can definitely find sources of good running shoes on the internet. One such recommended site for excellent online shopping is of course ShopWiki. With their wide range of online shops, I’m sure I can find the perfect running shoes for me.

I am really excited to get back in shape as I start with running. And I know that being healthy, I will be able to write some more on my blogs, maybe find more online opportunities. And I will be more confident in writing because I know I am in good health – both mind and body.